Poland
Eastern EU members “failing to address corruption effectively”, finds Transparency International
Many of the newer EU member states saw their scores deteriorate on the latest Corruption Perceptions Index amid growing state capture and efforts by governments to undermine judicial independence.
Polish retail sales accelerate growth in December
The expansion in December is hardly a surprise even if it fell slightly short of consensus. Poles’ robust consumer spending is driven by the good situation on the labour market, growing wages in particular.
Immigration helps ease CEE labour crisis
The labour shortages that have threatened to limit economic expansion in Central and some parts of Southeast Europe have started to ease in some countries, with increased labour migration a contributing factor.
Slovenia ranks first in emerging Europe in social mobility
Most economies are failing to provide the conditions in which their citizens can thrive, said the World Economic Forum on releasing its new social mobility index.
East Asian investors ramp up investments in Central and Eastern Europe
China became the top investor in CEE in 2019, leading fellow East Asian investors that accounted for a growing share of M&A in the region. More deals are expected to follow, says a new report from law firm CMS.
Row over PiS’ overhaul of Polish judiciary reaches Washington
Two democratic US congressmen urged Polish President Andrzej Duda to prevent the so-called "muzzle law" from being pushed through parliament, describing it as a “dangerous threat to Poland’s democratic institutions.”
Poland plans central magazine to stockpile unsold coal as miners threaten protests
Poland will set up a coal warehouse capable of stockpiling up to one million tonnes of coal that mining companies are struggling to sell as generation of electricity from the fossil fuel is in decline.
Visegrad leaders stand united at Prague summit
V4 plus Austria agree on issues such as migration, border security and enlargement, but differences arise over nuclear energy as a solution to climate crisis.
Poland fines Volkswagen PLN120mn for Dieselgate
Volkswagen used misleading information about emissions from its brands Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, and Skoda between 2008 and 2016.
Jump in Polish CPI confirmed at 3.4% y/y in December
Higher prices in food, housing, hotels and restaurants, as well as culture and recreation segments drove the result, though a pick-up in core inflation also played a role.
EU outlines €100bn plan to support coal regions' transition to climate neutrality
Coal producing regions such as those in Poland and Czechia stand to benefit from the Just Transition Mechanism, a tool Brussels hopes will mobilise up to €100bn to ease the move away from coal as a source of energy.
VIENNEAST COMPASS: Risk outlook 2020 – balancing in limbo
CEESE had a good year in 2019, with the economies in the region buoyed by increasing domestic consumption and capital spending that allowed the region to decouple from western Europe.
OUTLOOK 2020 Poland
The new year is shaping up to be at least as tumultuous as the old one, or, in fact, each one since 2015, when the incumbent right-wing nationalist populists from PiS won their first term in power.
CAPITAL ECONOMICS: CEE growth comes off the boil in 2019, but loose money and strong demand will bolster growth in 2020
The European Commission’s batch of Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESIs) fell sharply in December, although they remain consistent with regional GDP growth holding steady at around 3.6% y/y in Q4. Robust domestic demand should help to cushion the blow
Polish retail sales accelerate growth in November
The expansion continuing in November is hardly a surprise. Poles’ robust consumer spending is driven by the good situation on the labour market, low unemployment and growing wages in particular.